Belgium vs Italy Match Analysis and Prediction

Belgium vs Italy Match Analysis & Prediction

Belgium

14/11/2024 10:45 pm

Italy

by Vincent

3 weeks ago 0 19

DISCLAIMER: All odds are quoted at time the prediction went live. Check the sports book for updated odds

Requiring one point to secure a spot in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, Italy face Belgium as League A Group 2 draws closer to its conclusion on Thursday night.

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Having drawn 2-2 in Italy – where they played for more than 60 minutes against 10 men – before suffering a 2-1 defeat, Belgium’s only win so far remains September’s 3-1 victory over Israel on neutral turf.

Occupying third position – five points below France, and six adrift of Italy – Domenico Tedesco’s side seem to be heading for a relegation playoff, which would determine whether they can keep their League A status.

A top-two finish is required to reach the knockout round for a second time – in 2019, Belgium lost a third-place playoff to Italy in the finals – so their task is straightforward on Thursday; they must win to stay in contention.

A spot in the quarter-finals will be Italy’s by virtue of avoiding defeat in Belgium, who they let off the hook last month, losing a two-goal lead once Lorenzo Pellegrini was sent off.

That point still kept them top of the table, and Italy went on to make it three wins from four by beating Israel 4-1 in Udine, as Giovanni Di Lorenzo helped himself to an unlikely brace and Serie A’s Cappocannoniere standings leader Mateo Retegui scored from the spot.

Even if Italy cannot get the job done in midweek, another mouthwatering clash with France is scheduled for Sunday evening at San Siro, easing any pressure on a squad with a younger age profile than previous editions of La Nazionale.

Belgium vs. Italy Head to head

In the previous 14 meetings between these two teams, Belgium have claimed three victories while Italy have won six, and they have drawn in five. Italy have scored 22 goals and conceded 16 in the process.

13/11/2015

Belgium

3

Italy

1

Friendlies
13/06/2016

Belgium

0

Italy

2

Euros
02/07/2021

Belgium

1

Italy

2

Euros
10/10/2021

Italy

2

Belgium

1

Nations League
10/10/2024

Italy

2

Belgium

2

Nations League

Belgium Team News

Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco will be without a whole host of senior players this week, despite welcoming all-time leading scorer Romelu Lukaku back into the fold following his withdrawal last month.

Belgium's Last 5 Matches

01/07/2024

France

1

Belgium

0

Euros
06/09/2024

Belgium

3

Israel

1

Nations League
09/09/2024

France

2

Belgium

0

Nations League
10/10/2024

Italy

2

Belgium

2

Nations League
14/10/2024

Belgium

1

France

2

Nations League

Italy Team News

Italy’s injury list featured Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori and Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci, in addition to long-term absentees Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini – the Atalanta BC pair are not due to return until 2025.